Hey friends, well I stoked to say that I leave on a few days!! Which is good because all I eat here now is the rice ( showing love to my ancestors, ya dig?) haha mostly because I am so sick of the food here. I am stoked for my two year diet of fish and rice! haha well funny language story. So since i'm DL I am the one who kind of gets class going and part of that is reading from the white missionary handbook. So a few days ago I forgot my book and my teacher said, "Enga am boki mitinaire ae mainaina? (Where is your white missionary book) and I looked him straight in the eyes and said what I thought to be "I maninga e n te auti," (I forgot it in the residence) but he had this look of sheer horror on his face so I said it again with more conviction, honestly thinking my pronunciation must've been off. But then I realized what I had said and I said "Tiaki!" "Tiaki!" (NO! NO!) I won't tell you what word I used, but I basically told my teacher that "I am gay in the residence." That made for a VERY UNCOMFORTABLE moment for both of us! Hahahaha oh it was a good time. But anyways I am just super stoked to be headed out soon.
A scripture I found the other day that I really like was Luke 22:32. Basically telling us that when we become converted it becomes our job to lift up those around us. Including less actives, those who have fallen away, those who are struggling, and even those who don't know about the gospel yet. Last night we were skyping members in Kiribati (Which is the name of language as well as the country) and we all shared our testimonies with him and then asked him to share his and after that I committed him to share his testimony with a non member. The spirit was super strong, at least that I felt, and the cool thing is I will see him next week so I can follow up! I was always scared to talk doctrine/share my testimony with nonmembers, but I realized how profound of an impact it can have on a person. I have talked to SO MANY people whose lives made a huge turnaround and contribute part of their conversion to a sincere testimony from a friend. I know we all know people that are struggling, and sometimes all they need to hear is "Ya know, God loves you."
Well anyways my flight out of SLC departs at 8:15 P.M. and I couldn't be more excited. Packing straight stinks. But I know it will be worth it. Kiribati is going to be so incredible!! I literally can't wait to get there. But I am going to be really sad when my district has to split up when we arrive. We are all super close. Have deep talks and are just really good friends. I honestly feel like lifelong friends. Including the sisters. Especially Sister Nena, who is this 25 year old little teeny Micronesian lady that is so cute (mom cute) and funny. We have the most interesting relationship. I call her mom, because she's ya know kind of like my mom (she even taught 4th graders for 3 years before coming on the mish) so she always treats me like a 4th grader in a super playful way. But since i'm District Leader she calls me mom also. It's pretty casual here. And leaving our branch president, President Willes, will be super hard too. He has been the greatest example to me. I honestly love everyone here. But i'm ready to head out to the field!
Sorry there isn't much to write about this week, and it's a little more on the serious side. Everything has been same old same old here with the departure date looming, but within the next couple of weeks I feel like I will have a good story or two! Can't wait to have airport food, not going to lie. But I am thankful for all the letters, treats (especially from the grasselys, so good), and prayers that have been offered for me. I appreciate you all. Utah it's been real.
"Happiness is right now, if you don't realize that now, you'll always be wishing you were somewhere else."
Love,
E. Buhler
No comments:
Post a Comment